Students set to spruce up town with new trees
Tired of seeing the same old trees around town? City residents will soon see a greater variety of foliage as the result of a service project spearheaded by the National Honor Society at Boyd Christian School and assisted by McMinnville’s Urban Forestry Department.
The mass tree planting will be held April 25, in observance of Arbor Day, a national celebration that encourages tree planting and tree care. Up to 50 residential homes, churches and nursing homes will receive free trees and shrubs.
“We wanted to do a beautification project that would be something different and serve a greater number of people in the community,” explained National Honor Society president Megan Hamblen.
Using trees and shrubs donated by a number of county nurseries, the 18 club members, under the supervision of Urban Forester Nick Kuhn, will spend the day planting the foliage in appropriate areas that can be seen by the public.
Priority for the free trees and shrubs has been given to those residents who have previously participated in the National Honor Society’s Christmas tree recycling program and their neighbors, though residents in several other areas are being asked to participate, including those living near the hospital and Farm Bureau, behind AmSouth Bank, around Clark and Lillian streets and the Woodland Creek subdivision.
Among the tree species available for participants to choose from are trident maple, Kentucky coffeetree, bald cypress, crepe myrtle, Japanese tree lilac and thornless cockspur hawthorn, while shrubs include winterberry, American beautyberry, common witch hazel, red twig dogwood and others.
Kuhn said homeowners will be asked their preferences, which project coordinators will try to provide, but that final decisions will be made by his department based on supply and planting guidelines, such as the size of a yard and the proximity of power lines.
If interested in participating, or in donating mulch, contact National Honor Society sponsor Twan Majors at 473-9631.